Air pollution of Delhi-NCR: As the temperature drops and the air quality worsens in the national capital, the Centre’s air quality panel reimplemented Phase III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR. This includes a ban on non-essential construction and demolition work.
Significantly, Delhi’s 24-hour average air quality index stood at 400 on Friday, which is one notch below the severe category.
The sub-committee on GRAP said in a review meeting that the AQI is likely to worsen in the coming days due to adverse weather conditions. It directed authorities in Delhi-NCR to implement restrictions under Phase III of the anti-pollution plan with immediate effect.
If the AQI is expected to reach the severe category, preventive action under Stage III should be initiated at least three days in advance, according to GRAP. The restrictions under Phase III include closure of non-essential construction and demolition, stone crushers and mining activities in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).
(With inputs from PTI)
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